Spaces & Places: Designing Classrooms for Literacy (Spiral-bound)

by Debbie Diller (Author)
Key Phrases: writing area, math area, group teaching area, Stenhouse Publishers, Debbie Diller, Big Book (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

From Debbie Diller, author of numerous best-selling books and videos on literacy work stations and small group reading instruction, comes another practical resource filled with ideas you can use immediately to better manage your classroom and support student learning and independence.

In Spaces & Places you'll find a wealth of full-color photos from all sorts of classroom spaces in PreK-5th grade, including well-organized areas for whole group and small group reading instruction, classroom libraries, literacy work stations, teacher desks, and storage areas. You'll love the "before and after" pictures and the step-by-step processes outlined for organizing your furniture and cabinets, setting up your room space by space, and using your walls thoughtfully. Debbie has even documented how to pack your room at the end of the year to save time next fall (so you can focus on thinking about instruction) and what to do if you must move all your belongings.

Through pictures and text, this unique visual reference answers tough questions educators ask, such as:

• What do I really need in my room and what's the best way to set it up?
• How does my physical classroom impact student learning?
• How can I find the space I need to teach more effectively?
• What can I get rid of and how?
• Where do I put all my stuff?

Charts, reproducible forms, motivating quotes, a list of shopping sources, and reflection questions are included, along with a section outlining ten specific suggestions for on-going staff development. Whether or not you implement literacy work stations in your classroom, Spaces & Places includes everything you need to look deeply at classroom space and how it supports instruction.

Product Details

• Spiral-bound: 240 pages
• Publisher: Stenhouse Publishers; Spi edition (June 25, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1571107223
• ISBN-13: 978-1571107220
• Product Dimensions: 9.9 x 8.4 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars See all reviews (20 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #418 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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  #1 in	Books > Nonfiction > Education > Reading
  #2 in	Books > Nonfiction > Education > Lesson Planning
  #4 in	Books > Nonfiction > Education > Elementary School

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

33 of 33 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Debbie Diller's Best Yet!, July 15, 2008

By	Georgeanne K "Georgeanne" (IL) - See all my reviews

Debbie Diller has outdone herself this time. There are over 300 colored photos to show you how to attain the goals described. I loved the before and after shots. I was a little disappointed in the quality of the book. I like the spiral binding but the actual book had a few problems. The pages are thin and get caught in the top edge of the spiral binding. The front cover is also larger than the back cover making it difficult to hold without bending the cover's edge. Even with these problems this is her best book yet. It is a must have for the beginning teacher or an old veteran like me.

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A good resource!, August 19, 2008

By	Susan M. Hood "parothdsue" (Eastern VA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This book is a great resource to help design an effective layout for a classroom. It takes all of the elements of the classroom into account: whole group, word study, readers' workshop areas and more! I also liked the spiral binding because it provided easy access to the desired page. I would recommend it for any elementary ed teacher.

14 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Spaces & Places, August 2, 2008

By	Glenda Rodrigues - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This book has lots of practical ideas for using the space in your classroom to the best advantage. The pictures are clear and show how to implement these ideas.